Some of us have physical surgical procedures for various reasons (i.e. life or death) primarily health-related (and/or cosmetic). Other than having 1 wisdom tooth extracted, never have had any physical surgery as of 2/18/18.

However…I willingly/regularly submit to spiritual surgery… that is transformative… and life-saving:)

“For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

(The Bible and study thereof has power to change lives/thoughts/hearts/intentions for the positive/for the better!:))

Semblances, projected-imagery, “hollow”…”grams”…empty/weightless-flimsy-feathers… fleeting appearances of lengthy legitimacy…(piece-work NOT PEACE-work) fraying, demon-made sock-puppets and “b”l”i”n”k”i”n”g”l”y” transitory at best…aka the world’s governments/the R-I-S-E & fall of world powers…and as evidenced by collective history/eye-witness accounts and, at times, confirmed by archaeological finds/discoveries–all world governments, thus far, have failed!! and have been replaced…the current-flawed-system-of-things (in which we–fellow-fragile-life–live/(endure) at this very moment of this writing, February 8, 2018)…(framework of human society) will end!!!..is beyond a doubt coming to a close.

Don’t be caught off guard! (Logically, at least, put faith in/”accept” that power (and in varying measures) most assuredly runs fleetingly! and diminishes/coming to an end among ALL humans (seemingly big and/or small). And among any collections of humans organized/structured who for a time and/or times may take the/a visible-prominent lead/or govern in society/civilization.)

Purpose and Time of Fulfillment. Prophecy, whether prediction, simply inspired instruction, or reproof, served for the benefit of both those initially hearing it and those in all future periods who would put faith in God’s promises. For the original receivers, the prophecies assured them that the passing of years or centuries had not caused God to waver in his purpose, that he was holding firm to his covenant terms and promises. [excerpted: Prophecy Insight, Vol. 2 ]

-Compare Psalm 77:5-9:

5 My thoughts turn to the days of long ago, the years of the distant past.

6 During the night I remember my song;*(a prayer to the God of my life.)

I ponder in my heart;

I make a diligent search.

7 Will Jehovah cast us off forever?

Will he never again show his favor?

8 Has his loyal love ceased forever?

Will his promise come to nothing for all generations?

9 Has God forgotten to show his favor,

Or has his anger caused his mercy to cease? (Selah)

Isaiah 44:21:

“Remember these things, O Jacob, and you, O Israel,

For you are my servant.

I formed you, and you are my servant.

O Israel, I will not forget you.”

Isaiah 49:14-16:

But Zion kept saying:

“Jehovah has abandoned me, and Jehovah has forgotten me.”

15 Can a woman forget her nursing child

Or have no compassion for the son of her womb?

Even if these women forget, I would never forget you.

16 Look! On my palms I have engraved you.

Your walls are always before me.

Jeremiah 50:5:

“They will ask the way to Zion, with their faces turned in that direction, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.’”

Daniel’s prophecy, for example, provided information that constituted an invaluable link between the close of the writing of the Hebrew or pre-Christian Scriptures and Messiah’s coming. Its forecast of world events, including the rise and fall of successive worldpowers, gave assurance to Jews living during the centuries of Persian, Greek, and Roman dominance (as well as to Christians thereafter) that there was no “blind spot” in God’s forevision, that their own times were indeed foreseen and that Jehovah’s sovereign purpose was still certain of fulfillment. It protected them against putting faith and hope in such passing world regimes with their transient power of control and enabled those faithful ones to direct their course with wisdom.​ [excerpted: Prophecy Insight, Vol. 2 ]

—Compare Daniel 8:20-26:

“The two-horned ram that you saw stands for the kings of Meʹdi·a and Persia. 21 The hairy male goat stands for the king of Greece; and the great horn that was between its eyes stands for the first king. 22 As for the horn that was broken, so that four stood up instead of it, there are four kingdoms from his nation that will stand up, but not with his power.

23 “And in the final part of their kingdom, as the transgressors act to a completion,(* or reached their limit) a fierce-looking king who understands ambiguous sayings(*or who is skilled in intrigue) will stand up. 24 His power will become great, but not through his own power. He will bring ruin in an extraordinary way,(*or bring terrible destruction) and he will be successful and act effectively. He will bring mighty ones to ruin, also the people made up of the holy ones. 25 And by his cunning he will use deception to succeed; and in his heart he will exalt himself; and during a time of security (*and possibly without warning) he will bring many to ruin. He will even stand up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human hand.

26 “What was said in the vision about the evenings and the mornings is true, but you must keep the vision secret, for it refers to a time many days from now.”(*or to the distant future)

Daniel 11:1-20:

“As for me, in the first year of Da·riʹus the Mede, I stood up to strengthen and fortify him. (*or as a fortress to him) 2 What I will tell you now is the truth:

“Look! Three more kings will stand up(*or arise) for Persia, and the fourth one will amass greater riches than all others. And when he becomes strong by means of his riches, he will rouse up everything against the kingdom of Greece.

3 “And a mighty king will stand up and rule with extensive dominion and do as he pleases. 4 But when he has stood up, his kingdom will be broken and be divided toward the four winds of the heavens, but not to his descendants (*or posterity) and not like the dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom will be uprooted and go to others besides these.

5 “And the king of the south will become strong, that is, one of his princes; but one will prevail against him and will rule with extensive dominion, greater than that one’s ruling power.

6 “After some years they will make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north in order to make an equitable arrangement.(*or an agreement) But she will not retain the power of her arm; and he will not stand, nor his arm; and she will be given up, she and those bringing her in, and the one who caused her birth, and the one making her strong in those times. 7 And one from the sprout of her roots will stand up in his position, and he will come to the army and come against the fortress of the king of the north and will take action against them and prevail. 8 Also with their gods, with their metal images, (*or molten statues)with their desirable (*or “precious) articles of silver and of gold, and with captives, he will come to Egypt. For some years he will stand off from the king of the north, 9 who will come against the kingdom of the king of the south, but will go back to his own land.

10 “As for his sons, they will prepare for war and assemble a vast, great army. He will certainly advance and sweep through like a flood. But he will go back, and he will wage war all the way to his fortress.

11 “And the king of the south will become bitter and will go out and fight with him, that is, with the king of the north; and he will muster a large crowd, but the crowd will be given into that one’s hand. 12 And the crowd will be carried away. His heart will become exalted, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; but he will not make use of his strong position.

13 “And the king of the north will return and muster a crowd larger than the first; and at the end of the times, after some years, he will surely come with a large army and with many resources. 14 In those times many will stand up against the king of the south.

“And the violent ones(*or the sons of the robbers) among your people will be carried along to try making a vision come true; but they will stumble.

15 “And the king of the north will come and throw up a siege rampart and capture a fortified city. And the arms(*or armies) of the south will not stand, nor will his select men; and they will have no power to stand. 16 The one coming against him will do as he pleases, and no one will stand before him. He will stand in the land of the Decoration,(*or the beauty) and ability to exterminate will be in his hand. 17 He will set his face(*or be determined) to come with the full force of his kingdom, and there will be equitable terms(*or he will make an agreement) with him; and he will act effectively. As regards the daughter of women, it will be granted to him to bring her to ruin. And she will not stand, and she will not continue to be his. 18 He will turn his face back to the coastlands and will capture many. And a commander will make the reproach from him cease for himself, so that his reproach will not be. He will make it turn back on that one. 19 Then he will turn his face back to the fortresses of his own land, and he will stumble and fall, and he will not be found.

20 “And there will stand up in his position one who causes an exactor(*”An exactor,” possibly or taxes or “a taskmaster.”) to pass through the splendid kingdom, but in a few days he will be broken, though not in anger nor in warfare.

Questions for reflections:

am i putting my trust and confidence in any (failing/falling) machine/regime running out of steam?!
(nope! that is why am/will remain completely politically neutral!)
Can all train wrecks be avoided?!…don’t travel by train!

the earth is rich!… full of plenty to sustain/maintain life… for birds, for people… for all-fellow-fragile-life!!… “when” man”cruel” selfishly mismanages Earth… misuses resources/abuses power…causing poverty, famine, hunger… and not just for food.

The Bible makes many references to birds, often to teach valuable lessons. For example, concerning the ostrich and its incredible speed, God said to a man named Job: “When she rises up and flaps her wings, she laughs at the horse and at its rider.”*The ostrich is the largest living bird, and it is the fastest runner, able to reach speeds of about 45 miles an hour (72 km/h) for short bursts. (Job 39:13, 18) God also asked Job: “Is it by your understanding that the falcon soars, . . . or is it at your order that an eagle flies upward?” (Job 39:26, 27) The lesson? Birds perform their feats without any help from us. Their abilities testify to God’s wisdom, not ours. [excerpted “Observe Intently the Birds” Awake! 2014]

What i’ve come “to learn” through Bible study/practice (through the years)…is putting my personal preferences aside… and attempting to do “God’s” Will (and not just live by my own selfish will/desire/limited understanding/perspective of things/life)… aka living to the best of my abilities in harmony with the unfolding, progressive Divine Purpose… aka compassion, etc…things turn out alright & PEACE is found!:)

My experience: “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”

My little girls…”think” they got out of “school” today;)…(cause of cold weather, etc.)… but they will be doing fun “home” schooling with me…(according to their pace/interest span; of course) studying “spiritual” topics of their interest… readings/videos/discussions together…(e.g., science & spirituality, etc.)